History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Bruns, Joseph A. a well known and popular citizen of Rhinelander, superintendent of the Rhinelander Refrigerator Co., was born in Oshkosh, Wis., Jan. 18, 1872, son of Conrad and Theresa (FALIGH) BRUNS. The parents were natives of Germany who came to the United States when young and were married in Milkwaukee, Wis. The father was a tailor and followed his trade in Milwaukee, Kenosha and Oshkosh. He died in 1904 and his wife Theresa in 1917. Joseph A. BRUNS acquired his education in the schools of Oshkosh and subsequently worked in a factory there. In 1888 he went to Canada and for two years was employed in the Dominion. Returning at the end of that time to the States, he located in Fond du Lac, where for awhile he was in the employ of the Gurney Regrigerator Co., and later in that of the Bowen Manufacturing Co., which concern manufactured refrigerators. With the latter company he remained as foreman until 1902, in which year he received an offer to come to Rhinelander as superintendent for the Rhinelander Regrigerator Co., which concern was just then organized, its factory not having yet been built. He accepted the offer and came to this city. His first task was to superintend the remodeling of an old box factory, located on the site of the present plant, which was converted into a suitable factory, and it was then put into operation under Mr. BRUNS' direction, he making use of some patents of his own in the construction of the first refrigerators turned out by the company. He has remained with them ever since-a period of 21 years-and his faithful work and efficient superintendence have had much to do with the company's success. Mr. BRUNS is a Free Mason, belonging to the local lodge and also to the lodge of Modern Woodmen of America in Rhinelander. He was married Dec. 6, 1894, at Fond du Lac, Wis., to Amelia JAEGER, who was born in that city, Sept. 28, 1870 daughter of Carl and Sophie (MARQUART) JAEGER. Her parents came from Germany in 1870, settling in Fond du Lac, Wis. The father, Carl JAEGER, died a widower in January, 1916, his wife having passed away in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. BRUNS have had six children, all now living, as follows: Mabel, born Dec. 5, 1895, now Mrs. George HANDYSIDE of Elcho, Wis.; Lawrence A., born Sept. 10, 1897, of Rhinelander; Earl R., born Feb. 26, 1901, who was in the U.S. navy in the World War; Ruth O., born Oct. 11, 1904; Carl A., born Aug. 24, 1906, and Mildred E., born June 13, 1908. The three youngest are attending high school. The war record of Earl R. is as follows: He enlisted in the navy on June 6, 1917, at Milwaukee; received his training at Great Lakes and at Norfolk, Va., going to sea from that port on the U.S. transport Zealandia, was later on board the U.S. destroyer No. 120, and was mustered out of service Aug. 11, 1921. the BRUNS family is one that stands high in Rhinelander, all its members having a good personal record. Mrs. BRUNS is an active member of several societies, including the Eastern Star, the White Shrine, The W.C.T.U. and the Ladies' Aid of the M. E. Church.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 598-599; History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co

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